Walt Disney World - Orlando, FL Review

A Walt Disney World vacation is worth every single penny!  Give in to the dream - you won't be dissapointed!  Before I had children, I really could have cared less about Disney.  I almost resented the commercialization of fairy tales and family fun, but I have done a complete 180!  I absolutely love the Disney attitude - dreams do come true if you believe!

Being the mother of three little girls who adore princesses, pink and anything that sparkles, I have been submersed head first into all things Disney.  I love that Disney has embraced the family values that seem to be completely missing from MTV, Bratz dolls and Pokemon.  Bring on the Mouse!!!  Of course, the ultimate family vacation would have to be Disney World in Orlando, Florida.  We cut corners the first time - tried to go cheap - and learned from our mistakes.  Tried to wing it the second time - not recommended - and wasted time, leaving us with a huge laundry list of attractions and shows we completely missed!  Third time was a charm - and we are still improving!

Our last family vacation, the first week of December 2008, we were ready for the ultimate Disney immersion experience!  The entourage included Dad and I, my mom (Nana) and dad (Papa) and the three princesses (Heather, Melissa and Kimi).  Our ages ranged from 4 to 78 - and we were all ready to party!  We started planning a year ahead - and even enjoyed every minute of planning.  We decided to go for the complete package, top of the line, because we knew this was the last time my parents would probably be able to keep up with us on an active vacation.  We started at Christmas the year before with the Fodor's Guide to Disney.  Everyone read it - we even read it to the 4 year old at night as her bedtime story.  We made out lists of our favorite attractions, restaurants and shows.  We used the Disney web site, the planners provided were excellent and ordered the free maps that shows all our highlighted destinations.  We made reservations ahead (tip - if you want to get into the castle for dinner or the Bibbity Bobbity Salon, you will need to call 180 days ahead), mapped out our times and a just-in-case rainy day schedule.  I went so far as to plan outfits for each day with matching comfortable shoe wear and hats so noone got blisters or sunburn and ruined the fun.

We went to AAA to book our vacation.  They are the only organization that truely gets a discount.  All other travel agents get the same exact deal you get from the web site.  They also provide trip insurance at one price for the entire family, versus trip insurance for each and every person going.  With three children, I was not planning to spend a penny without insurance!  We went total Disney immersion, seven days - six nights in a resort hotel - the Grand Floridian - with all meals and transportation provided by Disney. We didn't rent a car or even think about leaving the resort.  We knew we'd be doing all Disney all the time!

We checked our luggage at the airport, and it showed up in our rooms before we arrived.  That was a treat for a mom with three children to keep her eye on.  They picked up our luggage at the end of trip in our room and it was on the luggage carosel back in Boston, complete and without any stress or sweat.  Right on Disney - you found the way to my heart!

We went for the best hotel, my mother and father's request, The Grand Floridian.  We requested adjoining rooms that overlooked the fireworks at night - no problem, no extra charge.  Phenomenal view!  The hotel was the nicest that my father had ever stayed in he said and he's traveled all over the world.  I couldn't have agreed more.  The beds were heaven!

We planned all our days and meals.  We knew where we were going, when and why.  We used the fast passes - the only way to get on the new Toy Story Ride without waiting in line for 80 minutes (the shortest wait time we saw was 50 minutes).  We went to the Disney Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom - spectacular (but a bit crowded). It was also cold - 40 degrees - but that was Mother Natures fault, not Disney!  Still - a party that only Disney could pull off!  AWESOME!!!  We focused on indoor activities and wrapped up in blankets drinking hot chocolate and eating sugar cookies while watching an insane Christmas parade and fireworks!

We held pretty much to our schedule, but left ourselves room for changes and surprises! My parents couldn't keep up with us for the entire day, we used cell phones to hook up and keep in touch.  They golfed two days - wonderful courses, immaculately groomed and fun to play per two avid older golfers -  and dined with us at night.  They watched the fireworks from the balcony at night while we stayed out as late as possible taking advantage of the extra magic hours open only to resort guests.  We squeezed every last minute out of the parks that we could - we were all exhausted after seven days.  They took it easy at night and enjoyed the hotel lobby with jazz, comforable furniture and the most incredible tree you have ever seen.  They chatted with other guests and relished in the stories my exhausted children told over each other upon return. 

We got the Disney Dining Plan and ate to our hearts content!  The food was wonderful and generous.  We figured out that we could split meals and still be well fed.  We had plenty of credits to some specialty meals that require two meal credits - like Cinderella's castle - and still have enough for the entire trip.  We each brought a water bottle with us each day, all of the water coolers are filtered, so we refilled and kept cool and hydrated all afternoon.  Snacks were terrific, meals were even better with decent choices like grapes, yougart, carrots and animal crackers, not just fries and junk food.  The sit down meals were top of the line, choices beyond belief.  The best BBQ was in the Animal Kingdom - Flametree BBQ - out of this world with corn bread and baked beans!  The best buffet was the Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom, where we went for breakfast - I wished I had a bigger stomach! My oldest daughter's favorite snack is the cream cheese filled, hot pretzels right behind the Dumbo ride in the Magic Kingdom. My father's special request was the buffalo at the Wilderness Lodge Artists Point Restaurant, but he said his favorite meal was the Cuban sandwich at the ABC Commissary in Disney Hollywood Studios. My mother loved the tuna sandwich at the Liberty Tree Tavern in the Magic Kingdom.  I loved it all - and no clean up!  Mom's in heaven!

The busses are busses, even if they have Mickey all over them.  That was my least favorite part of the trip.  We took a cab to the Wilderness Lodge from the Grand Floridian.  It was a little over $5.00. Worth it.  The most expensive cab trip was to downtown Disney - about $25. 00.  Still well worth it.  We took a cab there and caught the bus back.  Way cheaper than renting a car!  The busses run frequently and bring you right to the parks.  Can't complain.  If you have reservations or an appointment - take a cab.  Clean and quick, worth the few extra dollars.

Disney bends over backward to make you feel comfortable and special.  We spent a lot of money, but we only go every other year.  You spend a little more to stay in the park but with all that they offer, you get more, more, more than you could ever get saving a few bucks and staying at the Holiday Inn.  I know, we've done it both ways - go for it!  Save your pennies, skip a year (or even two if you have to) and spend the money to stay in the park!  If you can go off season, you'll be able to upgrade.  Get the most for your money - go all Disney, all the time!  We paid for everything in advance, bought the meal plan, used all Disney transportation and went to all Disney events and parks.  The only thing that wasn't included was souveniers.  Totally worth every penny!  Our best vacation til our next Disney vacation - for sure!!!